The Foundational Post-Quantum Credential
The PQCS certification validates that you possess the technical knowledge and applied skills to assess an organization’s cryptographic posture, evaluate post-quantum algorithm options, and contribute to PQC migration planning. It is the foundational credential in the Quantum Academy post-quantum certification program, and a prerequisite for all three specialized post-quantum certifications.
What PQCS Certifies
A PQCS credential holder has demonstrated the ability to:
- Conduct a cryptographic inventory and produce a Cryptographic Bill of Materials (CBOM) using structured discovery methodology across code, certificates, protocols, and third-party dependencies
- Evaluate ML-KEM (formerly CRYSTALS-Kyber), ML-DSA (formerly CRYSTALS-Dilithium), SLH-DSA (formerly SPHINCS+), and the draft-stage FN-DSA (formerly FALCON) for specific deployment scenarios, based on performance, key sizes, and security assumptions
- Assess hybrid implementation approaches for key exchange and digital signatures, including the engineering tradeoffs between concatenation, combiner, and nested approaches
- Analyze PQC migration requirements across common protocols (TLS 1.3, SSH, IPsec, S/MIME, code signing, PKI)
- Apply risk assessment frameworks to prioritize cryptographic assets for migration based on quantum exposure, business criticality, and migration complexity
- Develop a structured PQC migration roadmap using the PQC Migration Framework methodology
- Apply cryptographic agility principles to system design and architecture planning
Who Earns the PQCS
The PQCS is designed for security professionals, IT architects, developers, systems engineers, and technical consultants who are or will be involved in PQC migration efforts. Typical candidates include security engineers, security analysts, application security specialists, infrastructure architects, network security engineers, DevSecOps engineers, and technical consultants working in cybersecurity or cryptography.
Path to PQCS
The PQCS requires a structured learning path and a proctored certification exam:
- Complete the Post-Quantum Foundation course (certificate of completion required)
- Complete the Post-Quantum Certified Specialist (PQCS) Training course (on-demand, live online, or in person)
- Pass the PQCS certification exam
Exam Format
- Proctored exam. Supervision, location and recording vary by sitting and are confirmed when you book. See the Candidate Guide
- 100 questions in total: 90 scored plus 10 unscored pilot items
- 150 minutes, closed book
- Recommended preparation: the training course plus 20–40 hours of independent study
- Multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that test applied competence
- Scenarios cover realistic PQC migration decisions: algorithm selection, inventory prioritization, hybrid implementation choices, and migration planning tradeoffs
- Passing score: 700 on a 100–900 scale, set to a criterion-referenced standard
- Pilot items appear alongside scored items without being identified, and they do not count toward your result
- Results delivered promptly after completion
- Retakes: available 14 days after a first attempt and 30 days between later attempts, up to four attempts in any twelve months. First retake US$299, later retakes at the standard US$599 exam fee
Certification Details
- Digital badge issued upon certification, verifiable at pqcs.pro
- Post-nominal designation: PQCS
- Valid for three years from the date of certification
- Annual maintenance fee: US$149 (covers all active Quantum Academy credentials)
- Renewal: 60 CPE credits per three-year cycle, with a minimum of 15 in each year. CPE-based renewal is included in the annual maintenance fee
- Or renew by re-examination on the current version of the exam (US$399)
What PQCS Leads To
PQCS is the prerequisite for three specialized post-quantum certifications. Each focuses on a distinct professional role in PQC migration:
- PQCM – Post-Quantum Certified Manager – Leading and governing PQC migration programs
- PQCA – Post-Quantum Certified Architect – Designing PQC migration solutions
- PQCV – Post-Quantum Certified Validator – Verifying and testing PQC implementations
Professionals who earn all three specialized certifications are automatically awarded PQCX – Post-Quantum Certified Expert at no additional cost.
Pricing
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| PQCS exam only | US$599 |
| On-demand training + exam bundle | US$2,399 |
| Live online training + exam bundle | US$2,899 |
| In-person training + exam bundle | US$3,399 |
| Foundation to PQCS, on-demand bundle (Foundation + on-demand training + exam) | US$2,649 |
| Foundation to PQCS, live online bundle (Foundation + live online training + exam) | US$3,329 |
| Foundation to PQCS, in-person bundle (Foundation + training + exam) | US$3,999 |
Verify a PQCS Credential Holder
To verify whether an individual holds an active PQCS certification, send the candidate’s full name to validation@quantumacademy.com. We will confirm the credential status by return email.
The PQCS is a private professional credential issued by Quantum Academy, a trade name of Post-Quantum Institute. It is not a government-issued license, an accredited degree, or academic credit. Earning the PQCS does not guarantee employment, promotion, regulatory approval, or any other specific outcome. Quantum Academy programs are educational and informational only, and are not legal, compliance, or engineering advice.